The Cooks' Den » Specialty Bakeware http://www.thecooksden.com Cooking Tools - Gear for Cooks and Chefs Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:49:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Nordic Ware Petit Fours Pan | Specialty Bakeware for Mini Tea Cakes & Molded Chocolate http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-petit-fours-pan-specialty-bakeware-for-mini-tea-cakes-molded-chocolate/ http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-petit-fours-pan-specialty-bakeware-for-mini-tea-cakes-molded-chocolate/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:38:31 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12781 Nordic Ware Petit Fours Pan The kids are back in school, which means it's time to start planning ahead for snack days and afternoon luncheons, all while multi-tasking 12 (OK, probably more than that) household chores at the same time. Fall gets busy, fast. With this Nordic Ware Petit Fours pan, a lot can be accomplished in a short amount of time to make small, tasty treats for everyone.

This pan stood out to me because it's thick, sturdy, and non-stick. About 75% of the baking pans I've ever used end up getting torqued, even when exposed to the manufacturer's "safe" oven temperatures. Not something I have to worry about with the Nordic Ware petit fours pan. It's made from heavy cast aluminum. Heavy is good -- this means it's durable, won't torque, and will keep its shape. And aluminum is a great metal for fast, even heat distribution.

Nordic Ware specifies that this pan has a 10-cup capacity. It can make 20 petit fours, mini cakes, quick breads, molded chocolates, or candies in 4 rows of different floral shapes. Those who get frequent cake cravings will be happy to know it can bake mini cakes in about 15 minutes. It's made right here in the U.S.A. and carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Even though the non-stick coating makes it quicker and easier to use, this coated pan can't be cleaned in the dishwasher. Hand-washing with warm, soapy water is recommended. Fortunately, the non-stick coating makes this a quick process, too.

One thing to keep in mind is that this pan works best with Nordic Ware's tested recipes, which can be found on their website. When using any other recipes, expect that it might not turn out as hoped. Detail lines might not be as defined, or the batter may still stick to the inside of the pan. On average, thicker bread batters tend to hold their shape and remove from the pan easier than thinner cake batters. Some recipes may need extra help via cooking spray or flouring the pan beforehand.

All in all, Nordic Ware has a great reputation for making quality specialty bakeware pans, and this petit fours pan is no exception. Their Mini Scone Pan is another one that comes to mind.

P.S. A helpful tip for maintaining the shape and fine detail of baked goods in this pan is to tap the pan lightly on the kitchen counter or insert a toothpick into the batter molds. This releases any air bubbles that get trapped at the bottom of the pan, which can distort shapes during baking.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-petit-fours-pan-specialty-bakeware-for-mini-tea-cakes-molded-chocolate/feed/ 0 Reco International Classic Romertopf Clay Baker | Terra Cotta Slow Cooker 14 Pound http://www.thecooksden.com/reco-international-classic-romertopf-clay-baker-terra-cotta-slow-cooker-14-pound/ http://www.thecooksden.com/reco-international-classic-romertopf-clay-baker-terra-cotta-slow-cooker-14-pound/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 20:59:30 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4905 Reco International Classic RomertopfThe clay pot Romertopf allows you to benefit from the wisdom of generations through an ancient method of cooking. Some of the more creative seasoning involves the use of beer, wine, spices or butter, but you can cook without adding any fat or liquid to your dishes if you choose. They will still come out tender and flavorful because the clay releases moisture into food as it cooks. This makes it great for meats (especially ones prone to drying out as they cook), soup or slow roasts.

Made in Mexico, the porous clay of the Romertopf is free of impurities and contains no lead or cadmium. It should be protected from sudden changes in heat, so place it in the oven and allow the oven to heat along with the baker. The unglazed clay breathes and seasons over time as you cook with it. The clay pot prepares food for up to six people and then it cleans "green" with just a wash of baking soda and vinegar. Wash by hand and dry immediately for best results.

The Complete Guide to Claypot Cooking and The Good Health Claypot Cookbook are two titles available to guide you if you're unsure about how to best use the baker, but it really is as simple as presoaking the clay and adding the ingredients. The baker will contain steam and lock in flavor. It saves time and creates a one pot meal through slow cooking, yet doesn't take hours to complete a dish.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/reco-international-classic-romertopf-clay-baker-terra-cotta-slow-cooker-14-pound/feed/ 0 Trudeau Century 3 in 1 Fondue 15 Piece Set http://www.thecooksden.com/trudeau-century-3-in-1-fondue-15-piece-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/trudeau-century-3-in-1-fondue-15-piece-set/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 20:55:19 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4902 Trudeau Century 3 in 1 Fondue 15 PieceThe feature that sets this fondue apart from the crowd is the divided stoneware insert. This allows you to prepare two types of cheese or chocolate or a combination at the same time. The Century set features extensive use of stainless steel. The pot has a brushed/mirror finish. The stand is an old fashioned look scroll wire in black. Six color coded forks and four small serving bowls round out the set.

Trudeau also carries some excellent accessories to expand the use of your pot. The Colonial condiment set in matching stand would be a helpful, fitting addition. They also carry a brass strainer which would be a great tool to have with meat fondue. For some, the strainer is an easier way to cook and retrieve than using the forks.

Fondue cooking is fantastic because it is as versatile as your choice of ingredients. Make a simple Velveeta pot for the kids or melt Gruyere and Emmentaler with a little garlic and white wine for the adults. It can be a fabulous party food, allowing the host to prepare an array of small tidbits ahead of time and each guest can then cook and assemble their own nosh. This way, the host gets to enjoy the atmosphere instead of running himself/herself ragged.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/trudeau-century-3-in-1-fondue-15-piece-set/feed/ 0 Chef’s Choice Krumkake Express | Electric Pastry Abel Skiver Maker 839 http://www.thecooksden.com/chefs-choice-krumkake-express-electric-pastry-abel-skiver-maker-839/ http://www.thecooksden.com/chefs-choice-krumkake-express-electric-pastry-abel-skiver-maker-839/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:25:31 +0000 Lora http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4411 Chef's Choice Krumkake Express Even before Ikea came to town, Scandinavian food was working its way into the restaurant scene. I imagine that twenty years ago, you weren't likely to find abel skivers on a menu at an American breakfast restaurant no matter how trendy they were. But things are changing. And what better way to keep up with those changes than impressing your dinner guests with a beautiful Krumkake dessert.

Of course, I must confess I have a weakness for pretty things. Normally, I don't think of food as pretty. Beautiful, yes. Pretty, not so much. But presentation is an important factor in cooking. And making a gorgeous Krumkake is a lot easier than you might imagine.

The Chef's Choice Krumkake express comes with a cookbook which includes Norwegian, Swedish, and German variations on krumkakes. All you need to do is whip up the batter and pour a scoop onto the decorative, nonstick surface, close the lid, and wait sixty seconds. You can select the color of your krumkake from golden to dark brown by adjusting the numbered dial setting which controls the temperature.

When the krumkake is cooked, roll the warm cake around the included plastic form, and the cake will harden into a crisp cone as it cools. In mere minutes, you have a beautiful and edible serving vessel for ice cream, mousse, fruit and whipped cream, or any other delicacy you deem worthy of the krumkake.

The unit has red and green indicator lights and a quick reheat time. It's easy to clean and stores upright to save space. It also comes with a one-year warranty against defects. This is a sweet treat in more ways than one.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/chefs-choice-krumkake-express-electric-pastry-abel-skiver-maker-839/feed/ 0 Sassafras La Cloche Brick Oven | Stoneware Bread Bakery Pot http://www.thecooksden.com/sassafras-la-cloche-brick-oven-stoneware-bread-bakery-pot/ http://www.thecooksden.com/sassafras-la-cloche-brick-oven-stoneware-bread-bakery-pot/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:55:28 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=3396 Sassafras La Cloche Brick Oven The La Cloche Brick Oven by Sassafras is used for its fantastic baking results. Made from a ten inch natural stoneware baking stone and a cooking bell created from hard fired clay, it fits in a conventional oven. The domed top and Superstone construction help evenly circulate heat for better crusts on bread and more moist meats and fish. Prepare foods the way ancient Greek citizens once did and serve right from the dish. The oven can be cleaned by soaking in water and scraping off any excess food remaining.

The manufacturer suggests this item requires seasoning before use, but certain bakers say this is less effective. Some people prefer to presoak the item in water for the additional steam benefits. This is a very fragile item and breakage is an enormous problem. Yet this item can be used to make bakery-style bread with beautiful results otherwise difficult to achieve. The conditions inside the cloche cause something magical to happen inside the dough. The breads have colorful crusts and are filled with flavor and aroma.

Be warned, this item will get you experimenting with homemade breads. There are many good artisan baking sites which can be of great help if you catch the breadmaking bug. There's really nothing like fresh bread.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/sassafras-la-cloche-brick-oven-stoneware-bread-bakery-pot/feed/ 4 Norpro Mini Cheesecake Pan | Kitchen Dessert Pastry Nonstick http://www.thecooksden.com/norpro-mini-cheesecake-pan-kitchen-dessert-pastry-nonstick/ http://www.thecooksden.com/norpro-mini-cheesecake-pan-kitchen-dessert-pastry-nonstick/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:39:31 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/norpro-mini-cheesecake-pan-kitchen-dessert-pastry-nonstick/ Norpro Mini Cheesecake Pan I love cheesecake. Don't we all? Problem is that after three bites I can't handle any more of the rich sweetness. Tiny little cheesecakes? Problem solved.

The Norpro cheesecake pan will make a dozen of the little wonders at a time, not to mention little cakes of all variety as well as tarts and quiches. It is made from heavy duty metal components with riveted handles for durability. Coated inside and out with a nonstick finish, cleaning up should not be a chore with this pan. A particularly handy feature are the removable bottoms to each of the cups. This facilitates easy removal of the cakes every time. You just let them cool a bit and push them up from the bottom until they pop out. Unfortunately, the pan can leak a bit in the oven due to this feature, so you will want to set it on a sheet pan to keep any drips to a minimum.

A pan such as this is a great item to have around for the occasional specialty dessert. You can put a fun twist on the old birthday cake with it as well. That's the fun of cooking really, figuring out a way to put a new spin on an old idea. This pan is safe to put in the dishwasher, however I prefer to hand wash all my nonstick bakeware by hand to prolong the life of the metal. These pans rarely require more than a quick wash anyway, due to the nonstick finish.

Like specialty bakeware? Add this Nordic Ware Scone Pan.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/norpro-mini-cheesecake-pan-kitchen-dessert-pastry-nonstick/feed/ 0 Nordic Ware Mini Scone Pan | Bakery Pastry Cast Aluminum 16 http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-mini-scone-pan-bakery-pastry-cast-aluminum-16/ http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-mini-scone-pan-bakery-pastry-cast-aluminum-16/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:39:30 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-mini-scone-pan-bakery-pastry-cast-aluminum-16/ Nordic Ware Mini Scone Pan NordicWare, the Minnesota company that was the first to bring you the bundt pan, brings out another product in their cookware line for baking up some popular Euro-goodies, just like you get at the local coffeeshop.

This pan takes any uncertainty out of the scone shaping process. Cast from heavy aluminum with a serious nonstick finish and a heat-reflective exterior, you can bake sixteen equally shaped mini-scones at a time. Then when they are done you can just pop them out onto a cooling rack. Rather than the traditional method of rolling the dough out into a circle and cutting the wedges by hand, with this pan you measure an equal quantity of dough into each section and bake. Foolproof mini-scones!

The nice thing about this pan is how handy it is for baking a variety of goods. I am a big fan of cornbread and the triangle shapes are perfect for a batch of uniquely shaped corn muffins with plenty of crispy edge to them. NordicWare advertises the ability to use this pan on the stovetop and in the broiler as well as the oven. Personally I cannot think of a reason to use it anywhere other than baking in the oven, although you might come up with something. Triangular omelets anyone? The NordicWare company has many fans, and they almost universally love this pan for its quality and ease of use.

This is a very solid, well crafted product from NordicWare and is made in the USA. It is dishwasher safe and carries a lifetime warranty.

Here's another specialty bakeware appliance: the Cuisinart Pizzelle Press.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/nordic-ware-mini-scone-pan-bakery-pastry-cast-aluminum-16/feed/ 2 Chicago Metallic Lift & Serve Pan | Carbon Steel Single Squares 12 Cup http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-lift-serve-pan-carbon-steel-single-squares-12-cup/ http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-lift-serve-pan-carbon-steel-single-squares-12-cup/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:14:24 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-lift-serve-pan-carbon-steel-single-squares-12-cup/ Chicago Metallic Lift & Serve Pan You don't have to be a professional cook or a baker to enjoy the perks that come with the job. Case in point- Anything you prepare and cook in these adorable little shapes will look as if you have been slaving away in the kitchen all day, a true master of the craft.

Chicago Metallic makes this pan from heavy carbon steel, truly one of the best materials to provide maximum heat conductivity for even baking. Also it has a commercial grade nonstick coating for easy cleaning after use. A really useful feature is the removable bottom to each of the fluted cups. This makes removal of the baked goods very easy. After you remove the pan from the oven and cool for a bit, simply ease out the contents one by one from the bottom. Just remember to retrieve all the metal bases from the treats before serving or you'll get more than compliments for the crust.

The sky's the limit with the things you can bake up in this pan: from mini-quiches to single serving deep dish pizzas, from dessert, brownies to baby fruit pies. Chicago Metallic has been making bakeware for the commercial kitchen industry for many years. Their products tend to be of very good quality, and this pan is a good example. Just remember that carbon steel, while being an excellent choice for heat conductivity, can begin to rust quickly if it's not given careful attention after use. Always dry this pan thoroughly after cleaning, and never scrub or scratch the nonstick finish. It's protecting the steel from corroding as well as the contents from sticking.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-lift-serve-pan-carbon-steel-single-squares-12-cup/feed/ 0 Chicago Metallic Gourmetware Tortilla Taco Shell Pans | Nonstick Large Set http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-gourmetware-tortilla-taco-shell-pans-nonstick-large-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-gourmetware-tortilla-taco-shell-pans-nonstick-large-set/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:14:24 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-gourmetware-tortilla-taco-shell-pans-nonstick-large-set/ Chicago Metallic Gourmetware TortillaTaco salads rock. Crispy homemade lowfat taco salads at home REALLY rock. With these taco shell pans, you bake ordinary flour tortillas into taco salad shells in your oven.

Traditionally, crispy tortilla shells are made in a deep fryer, which gets them nice and crunchy, yet adds considerably to the fat content. Not so good. These pans are a neat alternative for creating your own healthy taco salads at home. They are large sized, suitable for the biggest flour tortillas and manufactured from aluminized steel for superior heat transfer and corrosion resistance. The interior is coated with a nonstick finish and these pans are completely dishwasher safe.

A baked tortilla shell is not exactly the same thing as the deep fried variety. After all, you're losing all that delicious, um, fat. That is the first thing you'll need to get used to with this method of preparation. It does however bake up plenty crispy and is wonderful filled with all your favorite ingredients. If your concern is less about the fat content and more about just avoiding the mess of a deep fryer, you have the option of brushing the tortilla shells with the oil of your choice before baking them. It adds a lovely flavor as well as crisping them up extra nicely in the oven.

You could get real creative with these pans, so why stop at taco shells? Try brushing the tortillas with butter and dust them with some cinnamon sugar before baking them. Then top them with ice cream and fresh fruit for a novel dessert. Hey treat yourself, look what a healthy dinner you had. Hee hee.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-gourmetware-tortilla-taco-shell-pans-nonstick-large-set/feed/ 0 Chicago Metallic Madeleine Cookie Sheet | Kitchen Bakery 12 Cup Nonstick Pan http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-madeleine-cookie-sheet-kitchen-bakery-12-cup-nonstick-pan/ http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-madeleine-cookie-sheet-kitchen-bakery-12-cup-nonstick-pan/#comments Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:36:18 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/chicago-metallic-madeleine-cookie-sheet-kitchen-bakery-12-cup-nonstick-pan/ Chicago Metallic Madeleine Cookie Sheet Ah, Madeleines. Still considered a gourmet treat in the US, although as common as cookies in England and other European countries. I was smitten from my college days in London. On the way home I'd buy a bag full, still warm and fragrant from the corner Patisserie to enjoy with a pot of tea.

To make these deceptively simple treats, you need a good Madeleine pan. This Chicago Metallic version is made from carbon steel, suitably heavy for even heat distribution in the oven. That's an important feature, as the delicate nature of these shell-shaped biscuits demands careful attention when baking. Also, these pans feature a heavy non-stick coating that has proven successful with users. Remember to always remove the Madeleines from the pan promptly after removing from oven to maximize the benefit of the non-stick finish, and to allow the Madeleines a chance to breath while cooling.

Personally, I always give the pan a quick wipedown with walnut oil before use and after washing, to ensure the next batch won't stick, and to protect the carbon steel finish. A pan like this should give you years of service, as long as you follow the instructions for proper care. This is advertised as dishwasher safe. My advice is to keep it away from the high temps and harsh detergents in the dishwasher, and hand wash after each use.

Making Madeleines is very easy to do. Once you start, you will find it hard to resist making a batch every weekend. Bon Appetit!

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